Two Nassau Community College students and future members of the women's wrestling team won their first collegiate matches as unattached competitors at the annual Nassau Open on Dec. 10.
Katherine Berrezueta and Karen Ramirez won opening round matches in the 136 and 143 lbs. weight classes, respectively, and were the standouts among the NCC women's contingent at the event held inside the P building.
Both Berrezueta and Ramirez will formally compete for Nassau in the spring when the women's wrestling team returns to action for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
Nicholas Casella – a former national champion with the NCC men's wrestling team – was named head coach of the women's team in October. He brings a wealth of experience to the rebooted program.
"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Casella back to the NCC family as the head coach of our women's college wrestling program," said Director of Wrestling Gary Redding.
"His journey started as an athlete here at Nassau and now his commitment to empowering young women through wrestling makes him the ideal leader for our program. With his guidance, we're confident our student-athletes will excel both on the mat and in their academic pursuits."
The women's wrestling team will begin its season in earnest on Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Will Abele Invitational at Ursinus College.
